Ardennes "Battle of the Bulge" Tour - Knee Deep Into History

11-17 December 2026 (7-days / 6-nights)

Get knee deep into history with us as we explore Hitler’s decision to put all his eggs into one basket to defeat the Western Allies with one last, great push: Operation “Wacht am Rhein.” Starting on 16 December 1944, under terrible weather conditions, the German Panzer divisions broke through the thinly-held American lines in the Ardennes. Despite the strong resistance by several American units, the German Army made its way west; The famous “Kampfgruppe Peiper” advancing under circumstances that became tragic for all.

Soon the German units arrived at the main center of communication in that region, the town of Bastogne. The grim defense of Bastogne, mainly from units of the 101^st Airborne and 10^th Armored Divisions, stands now for the strong will of the Allied commanders and GIs to defeat the Third Reich.

From 22 December on, American counterattacks started to open the way to Bastogne and on 26 December the first Sherman tank made its way into the town to relieve the defenders. The German commanders realized that the offensive had failed and that further fighting would be senseless. Nonetheless, Hitler would not give up yet, so the offensive and American counteroffensive continued until late January 1945.

This tour is timed to allow participation in certain Nuts Weekend events in Bastogne, Belgium!

Visiting AMBC and European military cemeteries is a key part of every Knee Deep Into History tour. — Visiting ABMC and European cemeteries is a key part of every Knee Deep Into History Tour

Schedule: (Subject to Modification)

Pick-up and return point for this tour will be Brussels Airport (BRU). A specific meeting point will be provided later. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from the meeting point. Participants with their own vehicles can arrange to meet us at an alternate location.

The schedule below will be modified to include a mid-week afternoon visit to the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in Aachen, Germany and to attend some events during Bastogne’s Nut Weekend of 12-13 December.

Day 1, Friday, 11 December: Pick-up at BRU at 12:00pm. Visit to Henri Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium. Afternoon rest time. Evening briefing and introductory dinner. Stay at Hotel du Lac, Buetgenbach.

Day 2, Saturday, 12 December: Initial German advance in the northern sector, with a focus on the area around Elsenborn and the Siegfried Line (Westwall), Skyline Drive, 106^th Inf. Div. and St. Vith. Stay at Hotel du Lac, Buetgenbach.

Day 3, Sunday, 13 December: Day 1 of the focus on Kampfgruppe Peiper’s advance, including Büllingen, Baugnez, Stavelot, Malmedy, La Gleize and Neufmoulin. Stay at Hotel du Lac, Buetgenbach.

Day 4, Monday, 14 December: KG Peiper continued in the morning. Afternoon cultural visit to Aachen’s Weihnachtsmarkt. Stay at Hotel Leo Station, Bastogne.

Day 5, Tuesday, 15 December: Focus on the defense of Bastogne, including visits to the Bastogne War Museum. We will also visit the Deutscher Soldatenfriedhof Recogne in order to view a German cemetery. Stay at Hotel Leo Station, Bastogne.

Day 6, Wednesday, 16 December: Focus on the German advance of the 2^nd and 116^th Panzer Divisions of the Fifth Panzer Army toward the Meuse River. Visit to Hotton War Cemetery, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Stay at Hotel Leo Station, Bastogne.

Day 7, Thursday, 17 December: Focus on sites in Luxembourg, including the Luxembourg American Cemetery and the story of the American St. Nick in Wiltz. Depart for BRU. We anticipate arriving at BRU around 5:00pm.

Painted shop windows in Bastogne express the locals' gratitude for the Allied soldiers. — Painted shop windows in Bastogne express the locals’ gratitude for the Allied soldiers throughout December!

Ardennes “Battle of the Bulge” Tour Overview:

Tour Price (based on double occupancy) $3,500

Single Room Supplement $440

Tour Price Includes*

TWO military historian guides who understand both sides of the story and who speak multiple languages and understand European culture
- Local guides at specific sites as needed
3-Star accommodations, typically in European family-owned hotel / restaurants
Transportation typically in comfortable 9-person people movers with A/C or in cars
Almost all meals, except those specified as “on your own” in the itinerary
Water, soda and snacks available in the van
Cultural outings (calvados tasting, church tour, etc.) and shopping time on trips longer than a few days
Admission fees to all sites

Tour Price Excludes*

Transportation to and from the starting point and lodging and transportation before or after the tour’s start and end times; for example, the cost of a hotel night for participants who choose to arrive early.
Dinner drinks
Dinners or lunches specifically excluded in the tour brochure
Souvenirs and gifts

*See KDIH’s 2026 Terms and Conditions for full details.